Volume 20 Issue 4

In this research, effect of nanoclay cloisite 30B and Coupling agent MAPP on mechanical properties of wood plastic composite that produced from picea flour/ poly propylene/ nanoclay inspected. for this propose, we used picea wood flour in constant level of 40%, MAPP in two levels of 2% and 4% and nanoclay in 4 levels of 0, 1, 3 and 5%. Next, wood plastic nano composite constructed by using of injection moulding method, and mechanical tests containing tensile, bending and impact performed on samples. Results showed that tensile strength and flexural strength and flexural modulus of composite enhance by increasing nanoclay and MAPP. Structural studies of wood plastic nano composite by diffraction of x ray also showed that distribution of nanoclay particles in polymer field is intercalation, and distance of between layers increase by enhancing of nanoclay particles amount.

The Minnan region in China boasts a rich religious culture, giving rise to the distinctive Minnan folk wooden altar table (MFWAT). This study investigated the MFWAT’s artistic characteristics and aesthetic preferences using Kansei Engineering (KE) and eye tracking (ET). The Semantic Differential (SD) method assessed perceptual evaluations, while eye tracking (ET) tests analyzed design elements via heat maps and areas of interest (AOI). Preference ratings complemented the objective measures. Factor analysis indicated that perceptual imagery comprised two principal components: stable-lightweight/dignified-relaxed and simple-complex/ceremonial-practical. Eye movement metrics showed decorative components (AOI-3) attracted significantly more attention than leg-foot (AOI-2) and panel components (AOI-1). Sample GA1 achieved the highest preference score, supporting the eye tracking (ET) findings. Decorative components were the most dominant elements. This integration of subjective and objective methods revealed MFWAT’s aesthetic characteristics and provides references for modern wooden furniture’s innovative design.

The mechanical performance of laminated panels manufactured from beech (Fagus orientalis) wood was enhanced by reinforcement with aramid fibers. Specimens were organized into three primary groups: (i) a solid (control) group, (ii) laminated groups composed of two and three layers without aramid reinforcement, and (iii) laminated groups incorporating one or two layers of aramid fiber reinforcement. Results of compressive strength tests revealed that both laminated and aramid-reinforced laminated specimens exhibited improved performance compared to the control group. Static bending strength was improved by lamination alone, and inclusion of aramid reinforcement in the lamination interface gave further enhancement. Lamination by itself did not yield a statistically significant improvement in the modulus of elasticity in static bending. A significant increase in the modulus of elasticity was observed only when aramid fibers were embedded in the lamination interface. Moreover, dynamic bending strength was substantially improved by the incorporation of aramid reinforcement into the laminated structure. The enhancement ratios were 63.4% for two-layer laminates with one aramid layer and 123.5% for three-layer laminates with two aramid layers. These findings indicate that aramid fiber reinforcement is an effective strategy for improving the mechanical performance of laminated wood composites.

Timber-concrete composite (TCC) structures offer superior bending stiffness, load capacity, and environmental benefits, but shear connector performance—critical for timber-concrete integration—remains a challenge. This study investigated TCC structures using notched shear connectors and glued-in threaded rods (GiRs) via push-out tests, finite element (FE) modelling, and parametric analyses. Twenty-seven specimens were tested, and the validated FE model simulated material nonlinearities and contact. The results showed increased GiR diameter and embedment length enhance load capacity and stiffness (GL series), with diminishing returns beyond a certain embedment. A 100 mm notch size optimized stiffness and load capacity for notched connectors (RG series). Parametric studies highlighted the influence of notch size, GiR embedment length, and diameter on load capacity, stiffness, and ductility. The FE model accurately predicted structural behavior, and theoretical models for load capacity prediction showed 1 to 32% error. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing TCC shear connector design and enhancing structural performance.

Research on nanoparticles (NPs) is gaining increasing popularity as a way to enhance abiotic stress tolerance and improve crop productivity. This study assessed the effects of foliar spray of selenium NPs (Se NPs) and selenium/copper oxide nanoparticles (Se/CuO NPs) at 50 and 100 ppm on the growth and biochemical characteristics of Zea mays L. plants grown under saline stress conditions (100 mM). Se NPs and Se/CuO NPs were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. The Se NPs and Se/CuO NPs were found to have an average particle size of 135.2 and 75.1 nm using the ImageJ tool.  Shoot and root lengths, chlorophyll levels, protein, phenols, and flavonoids were all investigated in this study. Plant growth and chlorophyll concentration dropped under salt stress but were improved with the application of Se and Se/CuO NPs. The enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase exhibited the highest values at 100 ppm of Se/CuO NPs, of 74.4, 132.1, and 43.2 mmol/g, respectively. Se and Se/CuO NPs reduced stress and increased chlorophyll. ZnO-NPs improved maize plants’ resistance to the unfavorable effects of saline soils. Finally, plant metabolism and abiotic stress tolerance were improved by Se and Se/CuO NPs.

The impact of different pre-harvest foliar sprays was assessed relative to the yield and quality of apricot fruits (cv. El-Amal) under field conditions. Apricot trees were sprayed with various solutions, including salicylic acid (SA at 250 and 750 ppm), calcium acetate [Ca(OAc)₂ at 2% and 4%], calcium chloride (CaCl₂ at 2% and 4%), and gibberellic acid (GA₃ at 25 and 100 ppm) at the pit hardening growth stage before harvest. All foliar spray treatments positively affected fruit yield per tree compared to untreated plants. The most effective treatments were CaCl₂ at 4% and GA₃ at 100 ppm, followed by SA at 750 ppm and Ca(OAc)₂ at 4%. All treatments significantly increased fruit weight compared to the control group. GA₃ also significantly improved fruit firmness, outperforming all other treatments. Additionally, CaCl₂ at 2% and SA at 250 ppm resulted in higher firmness. SA at 750 ppm exhibited higher total soluble solid (TSS) content. While the foliar spray treatment without any solution resulted in the lowest fruit acidity, SA at 250 ppm had the highest acidity. In conclusion, pre-harvest foliar application of GA₃ (100 ppm), CaCl₂ (2%), and Ca(OAc)₂ (4%) can effectively enhance fruit yield and improve quality of apricots.

The effects of the span-to-height ratio of wooden cantilevers on density estimation using bending vibration and static bending tests were examined. Bending vibration and static bending tests were performed for wooden cantilevers with various span-to-height ratios, and the densities of wooden cantilevers were estimated based on the measurements. The end condition of the cantilever was apart from the ideal condition for the smaller span-to-height ratios and approached to the ideal condition with the increase in the span-to-height ratio. The accuracy of the density without the correction decreased as the span-to-height ratio decreased. After correction based on the ideality of the end condition, the density could be accurately estimated without weighing the specimen.

Spruce (Picea orientalis), maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), and mahogany (Khaya ivorensis) woods are commonly used wood types in making musical instruments. In this study they were subjected to thermal modification at 210 °C for 90 min. The changes in bending strength, sound velocity, acoustic radiation, acoustic impedance, and static and dynamic elasticity modulus values of wood samples after thermal modification were investigated. The results showed that spruce wood’s acoustic performance decreased after thermal modification, while maple wood improved. Meanwhile, the acoustic performance of mahogany wood remained unaffected by thermal modification. Examining the alterations in mechanical properties revealed a decline in bending strength in all wood samples that underwent thermal modification. However, an increase in modulus of elasticity values was observed in spruce, whereas no change was found in mahogany and maple.

A catalyst (NiW/Ti-USY) was prepared via an impregnation method. Its catalytic performance was investigated for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of Jatropha oil. It was found that the support composition significantly influenced the Lewis acid site concentration, thereby affecting the deoxygenation performance. The catalyst exhibited optimal activity when the Ti loading reached 9 wt%. Furthermore, under the same support conditions, a Ni/W mass ratio of 1:9 and a total NiW loading of 30% resulted in the best catalytic performance, achieving a deoxygenation rate exceeding 90% and a minimum olefin content of 9.64%. GC-MS analysis of the product oil revealed a ratio of (C₁₅ + C₁₇)/(C₁₆ + C₁₈) greater than 10, indicating that the decarbonylation/decarboxylation (DCO/DCO₂) pathway dominated the hydrodeoxygenation process.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP), primary active components in the fruits of Lycium barbarum Murray, are effective bioactive compounds in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Microbiota, as the second genome, has been reported to be involved in the development of T2DM. Therefore, mechanisms of regulating the gut microbiota also involve its intestinal metabolites that might exist. This study examined the hypoglycemic effect and improvement of gut microbiota of LBP on T2DM mice for further investigation of potential mechanisms. Compared with the DM group, the LBP could not only increase the production of short chain fatty acids, especially the content of acetic acid, but also the community richness and diversity of the gut microbiota. In addition, the relative abundances of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes was improved in the LBP group compared with the DM group, accompanied with decreased relative abundances of Verrucomicrobia and Actinobacteria at the phylum level. Additionally, at the family level, the relative abundances of Lactobacillales and Bifidobacteriales in the DM group sharply increased and was significantly reduced in the LBP group. These effects may be attributed to its monosaccharides components (arabinose, galactose, glucose, galacturonic acid), suggesting LBP as a potential T2DM intervention via gut microbiota regulation.